Lyudmil Ivanov Eliminated in 2nd Place ($134,000)
Level 30
: Blinds 100,000/200,000, 200,000 ante
On the first hand of heads-up, Sergei Varnaev shoved from the button and Lyudmil Ivanov called for his remaining 2,250,000 out of the big blind.
Lyudmil Ivanov; A♥2♥ 
Sergei Varnaev: J♠10♥
Varnaev had a chance to take it down right now if he could spike a ten or a jack on the runout.
The flop came down 4♣10♠5♣ which put Varnaev ahead with top pair, though Ivanov did have a gutshot straight draw and an ace that he could hit. The 10♣ turn meant he was one card away from winning the tournament.
The river was the 6♥ and Ivanov was out in second, while Varnaev was the 2025 Merit Poker Western Series High Roller Champion.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
17,400,000
2,450,000
|
2,450,000 |
|
Busted | |
|
||